Whether he does or not, the Giants are certainly going to be using him quite a bit. "We are going to incorporate him in our defense this week," coordinator Perry Fewell said. "We have certain packages that he will be involved in. We felt like it was important to get him involved as soon as possible."

The Giants traded for Beason, a three-time Pro Bowler with the Panthers, last Friday. He said the Giants run a similar system to Carolina, with slightly different terminology. Translation will be the key to his playing time.

"We've only had him for a couple of days," Fewell said. "With a short preparation week, how much information can he digest and how much can he continue to spit out and spit out correctly? We're still working with him on that." HBO Knock-ing?

When told that the NFL passed a new rule that could force teams to be on the HBO series "Hard Knocks," Justin Tuck responded with a line that would have been perfect for the behind-the-scenes documentary.

"The NFL is trippin'," Tuck said. "Seriously. How you going to pass a rule to force you to be on 'Hard Knocks'? . . . That's hilarious."

The Giants would certainly be one of the Holy Grail teams for HBO and NFL Films to cover. "I voted against the resolution," president John Mara said in a statement from the owners' meetings in Washington, where the new rule was adopted. "I have nothing against the show. It may not be for us, but I understand why teams would want to appear on it. I just think that participation should be voluntary, not compulsory."

CB Corey Webster (groin) did not practice and probably won't play Thursday night night. DT Linval Joseph (ankle) said he expects to play . . . DE Justin Trattou was waived to make room for re-signed RB Da'Rel Scott . . . Beason will wear 52, the number he wore in Carolina. Spencer Paysinger, who'd worn 52, will switch to 54, his fourth different number with the Giants.

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